Greetings!

We hope everyone is ready for the first SNC show coming up this weekend! This is our first 2-day show and we are predicting a smashing success. We have previewed the schedule and the show looks to be full. Ride times will be posted in the next day or two and with any luck, the weather will be good! We had planned on reporting on the Golden State Dressage Show at Rancho Murieta show April 10th, but due to the crazy weather we were unable to go. From what we've heard, the weather was crazy but the show was still fun for most. This time of year seems to be that way. The forecast for our first show is still questionable but we are keeping our fingers crossed that the sunshine and warm weather will hold for the weekend.

Remember that volunteers are always welcome and very much appreciated. Not only do we need volunteers for the show, but for the tack sale as well. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Lou and Mary Christensen at 972-5408.

Junior Info

Junior Benefit Tack Sale
Remember, we will be having a Junior Benefit Tack Sale at this show! Proceeds from the sale go towards Junior Membership. Funds raised by juniors last year are being used to fully sponsor an upcoming junior clinic with Donna Richardson this year! This is a wonderful opportunity to help out the juniors. If you have an item or items you would like to donate, please contact the Christensens at 972-5408. Please be sure all items are clean prior to dropping them off.

Speaking of Juniors… Please Note…
There is a rule posted on page 41 of the 2005 Omnibus that juniors need to be aware of. It is "boxed" and "bolded" at the bottom of the page and states that, "Individuals are only eligible to compete as Amateurs from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 22."
Mary Anne, our Director of Junior Membership, has been discussing the implications of this rule with CDS. If you have questions about the rule, please contact Mary Anne at maryac@unr.edu or contact CDS directly. Please remember, this is a CDS rule, not SNC.

SNC Bucks

Something new we will be "trying out" this year is SNC Show Bucks. Show bucks will be offered as an award at our first SNC show. The first place winner of each class will be given the choice of either a prize or SNC Show Bucks. Show bucks have a $25 value and may be used towards any SNC activity (show entry, clinic, awards dinner etc.). The winner may only accept the Show Bucks one time per show day. For example, if Jane wins First Level test 1 and accepts show bucks as the prize, she may not accept the Show Bucks award again for that day.

OOOPS!!!

Please be aware that an error was made on the entry forms sent out for the 2005 SNC shows. The $10 Day use fee on the entry form is a PER DAY fee. If you are planning to show both days the fee is $10/day or $20 total. This has been clarified on the entry forms available on the web site. We apologize for the confusion.

Reno Chapter UNR Show - May 21st

The entry forms and prize lists for the May 21st Reno Chapter Show at UNR are now available on the web site. They will not be coming out in a mailing. Please remember to fill out your entry form COMPLETELY and send in your complete payment and copies of your cards with your entry forms.

Chapter Items

March Meeting
The March Meeting went well and a variety of topics were discussed. If you are interested in what was discussed, meeting minutes will soon be posted under Chapter Info on the web site. The May "meeting" will be incorporated into the Annual Awards dinner May 22nd.

Awards Dinner and Silent Auction
The 2004 Annual Awards Dinner is coming up Sunday May 22nd at 4:30pm. The dinner will be at Carolyn Graebener's house and is being catered by Time to Eat Catering . The menu has been approved and looks incredible. The cost per person is $21. Invitations should be arriving in your mailbox soon. Please RSVP as soon as possible so that we have an idea on attendance. Be aware that while we are planning to provide non-alcoholic beverages, the event will be BYOB.

There will be a silent along with the awards dinner again this year. If you've never been to an awards dinner, this is an event you really wont want to miss. In addition to the great company and excellent food, the silent auction is a blast!

Silent Auction Donations Needed!! We are still looking for items for the silent auction. If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact Susan at
sw4horses@sbcglobal.net or at 853-4175.

Chapter-Sponsored Clinic with Diane Kernoodle

We are excited to announce that the next chapter-sponsored clinic will be held in the indoor arena at Franktown Meadows Equestrian Center on June 4 and 5, 2005 (Saturday and Sunday). The clinic will be limited to 8 mounted riders, who will each ride both days. Chapter members are welcome to audit at no charge.

After the chapter subsidy and including ring fee, the cost for each ride will be $50, or $100 for both days. Diane is a former SNC-CDS member and is well know for assembling musical freestyles, advising riders on music selections and choreography, as well as putting together the finished product on CD. Chapter member Joan Wright has recently worked with Diane to craft her musical freestyle and gives Diane high marks.

As always, the clinic series is intended to reward those who have been active in volunteering and participating in chapter activities. If more than 8 current chapter members express interest in participating in the clinic, the Board will make the final selection utilizing those criteria. Participation is NOT on a "first come, first served" basis, as most private clinics are. If you've never attended a musical freestyle clinic before, you can be sure it is very educational and helpful from an auditor's standpoint as well, even if you're not ready to work on a freestyle yourself at this point. What a great way to have fun with your horse - word has it they like the music, too! Those chapter members who participated in the chapter-sponsored Bierenbroodspot clinic are not eligible to participate in this clinic.

The deadline to submit your name for consideration is Monday, May 9. Names may be submitted by emailing to jsmith@lionelsawyer.com After May 9th, the Board will be selecting the members who will be participating in the clinic. Then those selected will need to send their checks, made payable to SNC-CDS for $100, to Jennifer to hold their spots. There will be a waiting list in order of priority in case one of the selected riders has to cancel before the clinic.

The final 2005 chapter-sponsored clinic will tentatively be held some time in the fall, after Championships. The instructor and subject of the next clinic has not yet been decided, so now is the time to send your suggestions to Jennifer. All ideas are welcome. This is your chapter, and we want to know how you think we should spend our money on education. Remember, anyone in demand books up quickly, so if you have a thought to share, don't wait! If we can't schedule someone this year, maybe we can line them up for 2006...

Claes Bierenbroodspot Clinic

Claes Bierenbroodspot has confirmed his availability for a private clinic at Franktown Meadows the weekend of Memorial Day. The clinic will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 28, 29 and 30. Rides are $140 each, which includes Claes' travel expenses from Holland and the $10 ring fee. Those wishing to do so can ride all 3 days or just pick 2. If there is not enough interest to fill all 3 days, we will just have 2 days: May 28 and 29 (Saturday and Sunday). Please email or call Jennifer ASAP so she knows how many people want to ride in the clinic. Email jsmith@lionelsawyer.com; phone
345-1514.

Many years ago, long before Steve and I really got involved with the chapter, we had many opinions about the chapter, membership, costs of shows and clinics, and dressage in general. Many of our opinions were negative and come to find out, unfounded.

It took some doing for us to finally get involved and realize that we were wrong in our assumptions. Two years ago, we met Maureen Lyons who was the chapter president at that time. Maureen was very open and we became friends. Over time, she convinced us to attend one of the chapter meetings, and we finally agreed.

Given our strong opinions about how things "should" be, we came to the meeting and added our two cents. The meeting was quite productive and eye opening and we felt encouraged. We also found that we were able to contribute to the club in a way that we felt was positive for the club and for us.

Over the past two years we have been doing the SNC newsletters and maintaining the web site. During that time, we have learned that a chapter's success is highly dependant upon the membership and its willingness to get involved. What we do is important and we are proud and thankful that we have been able to contribute.

We are writing this because it seems like now more than ever, we need members to get involved with the chapter. This club has grown over the past several years and we, as members of the board, are trying to keep up with the demands of the membership. We want to provide as many show and clinic opportunities as possible, but we need help and we need it from everyone.

One of the main areas where we need help is in show management. Over the past year and a half we have had very successful and full shows. The majority of the shows have been managed by Lou and Mary Anne Christensen. They are NOT paid for their efforts in any way by the club and they have carried the burden of this job up to this point.

The chapter board recognizes that the club is truly in need of other members willing to manage our shows. We would like to think that the good will and interest of our members will encourage them to help out, but we also understand that everyone is busy and giving up a weekend to volunteer is difficult for most of us.

In an effort to encourage members to manage some of our show days, the board has decided that members who agree to manage at a show, will be awarded with a $100 SNC Show Bucks Certificate per show day. The certificate is transferable and valid towards any SNC activity including shows, clinics, and various other chapter activities. We are hopeful that this will encourage more people to become involved.

The alternative to having members volunteer to manage shows with the Show Bucks incentive, is to hire a person for the job. We are hesitant to do this, as we believe that we would have to increase the cost of entries to help cover the position, but it may be something the club has to consider in the near future.

In the meantime, please consider helping out. In addition to the Show Bucks, you will be rewarded with the good feeling and knowledge that comes with volunteering and contributing to something you belong to!

Helmet Drive Reminder

Our Chapter will be conducting a helmet drive on behalf of the Marvin Piccolo School Therapeutic Riding Program. Piccolo School is a Washoe County School that provides educational opportunities for special needs students ranging in age from 3 to 22. Part of their educational program includes therapeutic riding sessions. The school is currently in need of riding helmets (ASTM approved, SEI certified only please). New or used, it doesn't matter. If you would like to clear some space in your tack room call Karla Viola at (775) 853-2292 to make arrangements for collection.

2006 Show Dates

The 2006 show dates have been submitted to CDS. They will be April 22nd and 23rd, July 8th and 9th, and August 26th and 27th. We are planning to continue to have 2-day shows and hoping to have the August show remain our "big show" of the year.

Classifieds

The NEW Silver State Horseman's Photo Trader Getting Started SPECIAL!

Get four months for the price of two, new bi monthly color photo trader.

Sell your horse, your saddle, trailer or any horse related items.

Bi Monthly ads for only $30.00 Available for free at feed and tack stores in these areas: Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Washoe Valley, Minden, Gardnerville, Yerington and Fallon.

Don't have a photo? We will send a professional out to take pictures for as little as $15.00 or call for more information at 775-972-3235 or 775-830-1145

We accept Visa and Master Card

The monthly E-Newsletters are sent out to any Dressage Enthusiast that would like to subscribe. If you know of someone that would like to receive this E-news please have them contact us at snc-cds@charter.net. If you have a news item or announcement that you would like added to the monthly E-news or to the website please send it to snc-cds@charter.net.